This will determine the impact of attitudes and contextual factors (e.g., peer affiliations) associated with alcohol abuse on risky and precocious sexual activity among children and adolescents. Families (200 fathers, 200 mothers, 200 first born offspring between 10-16 of age, 200 second born offspring at least 6 years of age, and 200 selected friends of first born offspring) having alcoholic fathers will be studied at two timepoints. The offspring will be 50% female and 50% male. It is hypothesized that conflictual interactions between parents and offspring lead to disengagement from the family sphere of influence to peer affiliation where excessive alcohol consumption and other problem behaviors are common, and age-incongruent behavior, particularly unprotected sexual behavior, is manifest. The pattern of behavior, combined with heavier alcohol consumption, places the youngster at high risk for an earlier age of onset of sexual behavior, multiple (different) sexual partners, lower rates of condom use, etc., increasing risk for HIV infection and other STD outcomes. In summary, the liability to early age alcohol use in children is known to be strongly influenced by (1) paternal history of alcohol dependence, and, (2) temperament disposition of both the parent and child. Research has yet to be conducted to determine how these two sets of risk factors operate conjointly to determine the quality of family interactions (parent-child, sibling-sibling) and peer affiliation patterns. Current research suggests that peer affiliation patterns are the main proximal determinant of alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among youths. By disaggregating the interrelationship among individual, family and peer processes, adolescents having the highest likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior can be targeted with innovative primary prevention strategies that reduce risk for AIDS (and other STDs) and concurrent alcohol abuse.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AA009985-05
Application #
2882030
Study Section
Clinical and Treatment Subcommittee (ALCP)
Program Officer
Bryant, Kendall
Project Start
1996-03-01
Project End
2001-02-28
Budget Start
1999-03-01
Budget End
2001-02-28
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802